Porphyria

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

Although there's no way to prevent porphyria, if you have the disease, taking the following steps may help prevent symptoms:

  • Avoid medications known to trigger acute attacks. (Ask your doctor for a list of safe and unsafe drugs.)
  • Don't use alcohol or illicit drugs.
  • Avoid fasting and dieting that involves severe calorie restriction.
  • Don't smoke.
  • Minimize sun exposure.
  • When you're outdoors, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen.
  • Treat infections and other illnesses promptly.
  • Reduce stress.

Because porphyria is an inherited disorder, your siblings and other family members should consider undergoing genetic testing to determine if they have the disease.

References
  1. Porphyria. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghome (NDDIC). http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/porphyria/. Accessed March 24, 2009.
  2. Porphyria. Genetics Home Reference. Accessed March 24, 2009.
  3. Sassa S, et al. Understanding the porphyrias. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 24, 2009.
  4. Learning about porphyria. National Human Genome Research Institute. http://www.genome.gov/pfv.cfm?pageID=19016728. Accessed March 24, 2009.
  5. About porphyria. American Porphyria Foundation. http://www.porphyriafoundation.com/. Accessed March 24, 2009.
  6. Anstey AV, et al. Liver diseases in erythropoietic protoporphyria: Insights and implications for management. Gut. 2007;56:1009.
  7. Sassa S, et al. Porphyria cutanea tarda, hepatoerythropoietic porphyria, and toxic porphyria. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2009.

DS00955

May 9, 2009

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